Carroll, Penfold get nod in council race

Eight years after mounting an unsuccessful run for Salt Lake City Council, Phil Carroll went down into his basement, dusted off his old campaign signs and finally earned a spot on the November ballot.

Carroll, president of the nonprofit Community Housing Services, and Utah AIDS Foundation director Stan Penfold both rose to the top of a crowded field of candidates vying for a chance to fill outgoing Councilman Eric Jergensen's District 3 seat in Tuesday's primary election.

"Eight years ago, it was like pulling teeth," said Carroll, who finished with 38 percent of the vote. "This time, every day people were calling for signs or just wanting to help out."

Penfold, who received endorsements from Jergensen and Mayor Ralph Becker, said familiarity with Avenues residents and involvement with the community council pushed both him and Carroll to the top of Tuesday's primary.

"The thing that Phil and I both recognize about this district is they like to know their candidate, and they want to know them one on one," said Penfold, who took home 32 percent of the vote. "We got out and met people."

Missing out on a chance in the November election were Edward Aho (1 percent), Lisa Allcott (16 percent), Jennifer J. Johnson (9 percent) and Yossof Sharifi (2 percent).

"Everyone has got to be complimented on the race," Carroll said. "We have a very successful neighborhood and that's why we have a lot of candidates for these open seats. It was a very civil and respectful campaign. We have to keep it that way. The person who wins has to represent everybody."

Penfold and Carroll said they would take a moment to celebrate Tuesday's victory before returning to work.

"A pause and then we hit the streets," Penfold said.

On the city's west side, Council Chairman Carlton Christensen and challenger Leslie Reynolds-Benns both advanced past the primary in District 1.

F. Joseph Irish was the odd man out, receiving just 4 percent of the vote.

"Even after having run a few elections, I was still kind of a mental case today," Christensen said Tuesday night. "Until the results come in, it's pretty hard to relax."

But with 70 percent of the west-side vote, Christensen took a big step toward securing a fourth term on the council.

"I'm ecstatic, frankly," he said. "To go from last year at this time when I lost a bid for my senate seat, to be able to come back and have voters have the confidence in me to continue my service, I'm just grateful and looking forward to working hard between now and November."

e-mail: afalk@desnews.com